Red River Waterway Commission defends dog park funding

Shreveport Mayor Cedric Glover and The Shreveport Dog Park Alliance have meet to discuss his reasons for refusing to sign off on funding for the project.

SHREVEPORT, LA (KSLA) -

The Red River Waterway Commission has responded to Shreveport Mayor Cedric Glover's criticism of the commission's funding priorities, after it granted a request for funding of a dog park on the city's property on the Red River.

The commission granted a request from the Caddo Parish Commission to assist with funding for the construction of a dog park in mid-June.

The project would be would be located at Hamel Memorial Park off Clyde Fant Parkway, was approved by the RRWC, but Glover has refused to sign off on the project, saying there are bigger priorities for the city, and questioning the commission's funding priorities.

In a letter to the RRWC, Glover asked for clear guidelines on funding requests presented to the organization, and asked for a meeting with the commission's Executive Director and others to discuss the status of several funding requests for recreation projects submitted by the city last November.

Those requests included restrooms/changing rooms and a stage pavilion/shade structure at RiverView park, an event pavilion /picnic area and trail improvements at the Stoner Woods boat launch, a picnic area, additional parking, playground and restrooms at Memorial Hamel Park and information kiosks at all three recreational areas.

In his letter, Glover lays out the list of proposed improvements and points out how they are consistent with the Shreveport/Caddo 2030 Master Plan, developed and prioritized by citizens and followed months of review by a committee that included the Red River Waterway Commission. "In light of these considerations," Glover says, "the Commission's decision to fund the dog park, to the exclusion of, and before giving any consideration to, the list of projects submitted by the City of Shreveport is both disappointing and baffling."

In its response to Glover's criticism, Guidry took exception to Glover's assertion that the RRWC's approval of funding for the dog park was made "to the exclusion of, and before giving any consideration to" the city's previously submitted funding request, pointing out previouss discussions about projects that could be eligible for Waterway Commission funding assistance. Guidry also points out that the $1.6 to 1.8 million dollars in project funding requested, along with projects requested by other cities and parishes, are currently being reviewed and considered by the Commission. "I anticipate that the Commission will be making priority decisions in the near future," Guidry says.

Guidry also contends that no one has ever expressed any opposition to the project until after the Waterway Commission's decision to approve the dog park funding.

The Waterway Commission's response to Mayor Glover includes a copy of the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement that Glover has so far refused to sign, which would allow the dog park to move forward.